OSHA 30- EXCAVATION HAZARDS, SOILS ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+ 2025/2026
Shoring and shielding can be custom built from tabulated data approved by a registered
PE. - True
The struts of a screw jack system must be adjusted manually, which creates a hazard
because the worker is required to: - Be in the trench in order to adjust the strut
All systems have a set of manufacturer's tabulated data to be used for proper design
and installation of the equipment - True
When using a ladder in a trench, it must be: - All of the above
A surface encumbrance is anything that could create a ___ in or around a trench. -
Hazard
Walkways must have handrails when at __ or more above lower level - 6 ft
A competent person must inspect all excavations, adjacent areas, and protective
systems daily, ____, and as needed throughout the shift. - Before work begins
Establishing eye contact with your equipment operator is a general safety principle
when working outside the working radius. - True
Being dangerously close to a falling load is: - Not allowed
Each of the following is true of accumulating water hazards EXCEPT: - Special supports
or shield are not allowed.
Warning systems for mobile equipment include barricades, hand signals, stop logs -
True
All surface encumbrances must be removed or supported within: - The zone of influence
Each of the following is true of underground installations EXCEPT: - They must be
removed
When exposed to vehicular traffic, your excavation site must have: - All of the above
Which of these did OSHA recommend? - Keep excavated material 2 ft from excavation,
protect walls to prevent cave-ins, employers must instruct employees on hazard
recognition and regulations, provide ladder if trench 4 ft or more in depth.
The competent person must have authority to correct hazards. Who give the competent
person this authority? - The person's employer
, The competent person must be a superintendent, foreman, or project manager. - False
The topic is about the practical application of the Fed-OSHA Excavation standard
regarding: - All of the above
After identifying a possible cave-in, protection system failure, or hazardous atmosphere,
the competent person: - Removes workers until precautions have been taken place
The OSHA Soils Standard applies to each of these EXECPT: - Offshore petroleum
drilling
What do you think was the primary cause of this accident? - unstable soil due to
accumulation of water
What could have been done to prevent this fatality? - Shore, slope, sheet or brace the
trench walls. Have a competent person inspect the trench daily. Do not allow water to
accumulate in the trench.
"Free-seeping" soil is considered submerged soil - False
Which soil cannot be molded when moist and crumbles easily when dry? - Granular soil
Soil which fractures along definite planes or exhibits open cracks is: - Fissured soil
OSHA made four recommendations in which responsibility was clearly identified. To
whom were OSHA's recommendations directed - The employer
An unsupported excavation can create an unbalanced stress, causing: - All of the above
When the vertical face of a trench shears along a tension crack line, it is known as: -
Toppling
Tension cracks are rarely a sign of imminent trench failure - False
Boiling is an upward water flow into the bottom of the cut - True
Having or squeezing can occur even when shoring or shielding has been properly
installed - True
An increase or decrease in moisture can both damage trench stability - true
Time and weather are not major influences in soil stress - False
The "adjacent area" is area on either side of the trench cut equal to the depth of the
trench - True
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+ 2025/2026
Shoring and shielding can be custom built from tabulated data approved by a registered
PE. - True
The struts of a screw jack system must be adjusted manually, which creates a hazard
because the worker is required to: - Be in the trench in order to adjust the strut
All systems have a set of manufacturer's tabulated data to be used for proper design
and installation of the equipment - True
When using a ladder in a trench, it must be: - All of the above
A surface encumbrance is anything that could create a ___ in or around a trench. -
Hazard
Walkways must have handrails when at __ or more above lower level - 6 ft
A competent person must inspect all excavations, adjacent areas, and protective
systems daily, ____, and as needed throughout the shift. - Before work begins
Establishing eye contact with your equipment operator is a general safety principle
when working outside the working radius. - True
Being dangerously close to a falling load is: - Not allowed
Each of the following is true of accumulating water hazards EXCEPT: - Special supports
or shield are not allowed.
Warning systems for mobile equipment include barricades, hand signals, stop logs -
True
All surface encumbrances must be removed or supported within: - The zone of influence
Each of the following is true of underground installations EXCEPT: - They must be
removed
When exposed to vehicular traffic, your excavation site must have: - All of the above
Which of these did OSHA recommend? - Keep excavated material 2 ft from excavation,
protect walls to prevent cave-ins, employers must instruct employees on hazard
recognition and regulations, provide ladder if trench 4 ft or more in depth.
The competent person must have authority to correct hazards. Who give the competent
person this authority? - The person's employer
, The competent person must be a superintendent, foreman, or project manager. - False
The topic is about the practical application of the Fed-OSHA Excavation standard
regarding: - All of the above
After identifying a possible cave-in, protection system failure, or hazardous atmosphere,
the competent person: - Removes workers until precautions have been taken place
The OSHA Soils Standard applies to each of these EXECPT: - Offshore petroleum
drilling
What do you think was the primary cause of this accident? - unstable soil due to
accumulation of water
What could have been done to prevent this fatality? - Shore, slope, sheet or brace the
trench walls. Have a competent person inspect the trench daily. Do not allow water to
accumulate in the trench.
"Free-seeping" soil is considered submerged soil - False
Which soil cannot be molded when moist and crumbles easily when dry? - Granular soil
Soil which fractures along definite planes or exhibits open cracks is: - Fissured soil
OSHA made four recommendations in which responsibility was clearly identified. To
whom were OSHA's recommendations directed - The employer
An unsupported excavation can create an unbalanced stress, causing: - All of the above
When the vertical face of a trench shears along a tension crack line, it is known as: -
Toppling
Tension cracks are rarely a sign of imminent trench failure - False
Boiling is an upward water flow into the bottom of the cut - True
Having or squeezing can occur even when shoring or shielding has been properly
installed - True
An increase or decrease in moisture can both damage trench stability - true
Time and weather are not major influences in soil stress - False
The "adjacent area" is area on either side of the trench cut equal to the depth of the
trench - True
